VANCOUVER HEIGHTS — Boys and Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington and health insurer Amerigroup are working together to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and teens. By providing $10,000, Amerigroup will support 500 hours of staff time to implement a program to better equip youth with the skills needed to build strong social-emotional health.
“Amerigroup Washington has made a commitment to innovating solutions that address whole health needs, which include physical, behavioral and social health,” said Anthony Woods, president.
In January, the clubs adopted PAX Tools, an evidence-based strategy for human services professionals. PAX Tools works to increase self-efficacy, confidence and awareness of how to respond to youth experiencing a mental-behavioral health crisis. The implementation hours supported by Amerigroup help the club’s staff guide youth to self-regulate and de-escalate their own emotional responses to trauma, stress, anxiety, and triggers.
“When youth have the skills and support they need to be able to manage their emotional responses they are better able to attend to learning and to build productive relationships with peers and adults,” said Francisco Bueno, executive director of Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington. “They shift from surviving to thriving.”
